Cigar packaging or the like



Oct. 26, 1965 B. J. TAMARIN 3,214,009

CIGAR PACKAGING OR THE LIKE Filed April 8, 1964 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 X H 20z/ z; I) I r 22 zz W/Z I INVENTOR.

BFAA/A/PD 721M414 BYNG W w t L) Z2584 A mm,

Oct. 26, 1965 B. J. TAMARIN CIGAR PACKAGING OR THE LIKE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed April 8, 1964 INVENTOR. Eff/V4190 J. TAM/IP/IV M flat/L1- LJ :2.-

Oct. 26, 1965 B. J. TAMARIN 3,214,009

CIGAR PACKAGING OR THE LIKE Filed April 8, 1964 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 we we#15 INVENTOR. EFF/{44 99 PUMP/Al Oct. 26, 1965 B. J. TAMARIN CIGARPACKAGING OR THE LIKE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 8, 1964 azz w l, imZMM W mJflA 0 My Ma 5 l ev B a a v 2 f 0 6 3 2 4/ a a Q 3 p 2% a a Oct.26, 1965 B. J. TAMARIN CIGAR PACKAGING OR THE LIKE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6Filed April 8, 1964 3 a 3) \JW #2.. g y; I RH m [7 2 7 M 5 a n h M 7 Fay m M M r w; 43W rd 0 W Q W 0 r 2 05- AN m J m 7 M 4 4 W United StatesPatent 3,214,009 CIGAR PACKAGING OR THE LIKE Bernard J. Tarnarin,Whitemarsh, Pa., assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, toPull-Packaging, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of PennsylvaniaFiled Apr. 8, 1964, Ser. No. 358,225 22 Claims. (Cl. 20641.2)

This invention relates to pack-aging of cigars or the like and concernsespecially a dispensing package and blanks therefor.

A conventional type of cigar package contains several cigars arranged ina row side by side in a relatively stiff boXlike container having acovering end flap openable to permit removal of the contents. Such acontainer is usually rectangular on the sides and ends (i.e.parallelepipedal) and has such an end flap joined to one wide side wall,folded across the end surface, and tucked at its free end inside alongthe opposite wide side wall. Such containers have numerousdisadvantages, including loss of rigidity and exposure or even spillageof the contents when open and difiiculty of reclosing and insufficientrigidity even when reclosed.

A primary object of the present invention is provision of a dispensingcigar package or the like.

Another object is provision of such a package characterized by improvedrigidity when open and when reclosed and by secure reclosing afterrepeated opening.

Yet another object is provision of such a package in which thedispensing feature facilitates removal of a cigar therefrom and inhibitsreplacement of a cigar therein.

A further object is provision of a folding packaging blank adapted toform such a package.

Other objects of this invention, together with means and methods forattaining the various objects, will become apparent from the followingdescription and the accompanying diagrams, which illustrate variousembodiments of the same.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, from above and to the right of center, ofa package of this invention, shown closed;

FIG. 2 is a similar perspective View of the same package, shown open andduring the dispensing of a cigar therefrom;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the same package, shown closed as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the same package, shown open as in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation of the upper portion of the same package,shown open as in FIGS. 2 and 4;

FIG. 6 is a flat view of a first embodiment of packaging blank, which isadapted to form a package such as is shown in the preceding views;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation of a cigar package, shown closed, formedfrom the packaging blank of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation "of the cigar package of FIG. 7, here partlybroken away to reveal the interior and shown "open, with a cigar beingdispensed therefrom;

FIG. 9 is a flat view of a second embodiment of packaging blankaccording to this invention; and

FIG. 10 is a front elevation of a cigar package, here partly broken awayto reveal the interior and shown open, with a cigar being dispensedtherefrom;

FIG. 11 is a flat view of a third embodiment of packaging blankaccording to this invention;

FIG. 12 is a front elevation of a cigar package, shown closed, formedfrom the packaging blank of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front elevation "of the package of FIG. 12, here partlybroken away to reveal the interior and shown open, with a cigar beingdispensed therefrom;

ice

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of a corner of the package ofthe immediately preceding views; and

FIGS. 15a, 15b, and are detailed sectional views of the package cornerof FIG. 14, taken at XVa-XVm XVb-XVb, and XVcXVc, respectively, thereon.

FIG. 16 is a flat view of the upper portion of a fourth embodiment ofpackaging blank according to this invention;

FIG. 17 is a front elevation of a cigar package, shown closed, formedfrom the packaging blank of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a front elevation of the package of FIG. 17, here shown openand with a cigar being dispensed therefrom;

FIG. 19 is a front elevation of the upper right corner, partly insection and enlarged, of the package of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a flat view of the upper portion of a fifth embodiment ofpackaging blank according to this invention; and

FIG. 21 is a front elevation of the upper right corner, partly insection and enlarged, of a package formed from the packaging blank ofFIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a flat view of a sixth embodiment of packaging blankaccording to this invention;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a cigar package,shown closed, formed from the packaging blank of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a similar perspective view of the package of FIG. 23,, hereshown open and with a cigar being dispensed therefrom;

FIG. 25 is a plan View of the same package, shown closed as in FIG 23;

FIG. 26 is a plan view of the same package, shown open as in FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a rear elevation of the upper portion of the same package,shown closed as in FIGS. 23 and 25;

FIG. 28 is a rear elevation of the upper portion of the same package,shown open as in FIGS. 24 and 26; and

FIG. 29 is a front elevation of the upper portion of the same package,shown open, corresponding to the rear elevation shown in the immediatelypreceding view;

FIG. 30 is a flat view of a seventh embodiment of packaging blankaccording to this invention;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a package, shownclosed, formed from the packaging blank of FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a similar perspective view of the same package, shown openand with a cigar being dispensed therefrom;

FIG. 33 is a plan view of the same package, shown closed as in FIG. 31;

FIG. 34 is a plan view of the same package, shown open as in FIG. 32;

FIG. 35 is a front elevation of the upper portion of the same package,shown closed as in FIGS. 31 and 33;

FIG. 36 is a front elevation of the upper portion of the same package,shown open as in FIGS. 32 and 34; and

FIG. 37 is a rear elevation of the upper portion of the same package,shown open, corresponding to the front elevation shown in theimmediately preceding view.

In general, the objects of the present invention are accomplished, in aportable package for cigars or other cylindrical articles arranged sideby side in a row, by means of an end closure comprising a plurality ofseparately hinged portions swingably openable together to dispense oneof the articles. More particularly, the end closure is openable byforcible contact of the end of one of the articles against the closurefrom the inside to dispense that article, the package having an openingin a side wall thereof adjacent .that article to enable the articles tobe manipulated into such contact with the end closure to open it. Theinvention also comprehends pack- 3 aging blanks for providing suchfeatures when folded into package form.

FIG. 1 shows, in perspective, package 10 of this in vention, with partof the vertical extent thereof omitted as indicated by phantom lines,the height of the package being determined by the length of the cigarsor other cylindrical articles contained therein. As shown, the packagehas rectangular sides and ends. The thickness of the package dependsupon the diameter of the articles, which are arranged, preferably in asingle row, side by side, and the package width depends upon the numberof the articles as well as their diameter. In the instance of cigarsthere is little or no standardization in length or diameter, so packagedimensions vary greatly, but the present invention is applicable,irrespective of dimensions, to any such portable package. The bottom(not shown) may be of any suitable construction.

Front wall 12 of package 10 is relatively wide and adjoins pair ofnarrow walls 11 (hidden except at its top edge) and 13. The front wallhas opening 2 therein, which is shown as generally rectangular,centrally located from side to side nearer the top than the bottom andwith its top edge parallel to the top of the package. Parts of severalcigars are visible through the opening. It will be understood that theopening normally will be sealed, as by a surrounding sheath (or,alternatively, a covering window) of preferably transparent ortranslucent laminar material (not shown) until the package reaches theconsumer, whereupon the seal will be removed to facilitate dispensing ofthe contents.

The top of package 10, shown (closed) in perspective in FIG. 1 and inplan in FIG. 3, is in the form of a flap joined to the back wall (hiddenin this view) and divided in half by slit 20 crossing the toptransversely parallel to the narrow edges formed by the top edges ofnarrow side walls 11 and 13. The right half of the top is made up ofminor portion 21 bordering the slit and adjoining major portion 23,respectively, with welt or score line 22 therebetween parallel to theslit and providing a hinging location for minor portion 21 onto majorportion 23. The left half of the top is a mirror image of the right halfand has minor portion 21 hinged to major portion 23' at welt or scoreline 22. Adjacent minor portions 21 and 21' together go to make up anopenable closure in the top end of the package, as shown in other views.

FIG. 2 shows package in perspective much as in FIG. 1 with two handssuperimposed, the right hand holding the package and the left handsliding cigar 20 upward, thereby opening that end closure by swingingminor portions 21, 21 of the top upward about their respective lines 22,22' (the latter of which is hidden in this view). FIGS. 4 and 5 show thepackage so open, in plan and rear elevation, respectively. Revealed aspart of the open end closure are parts 31, 31 which are perpendicular toadjoining minor top portions 21, 21 and which rest in the closedposition inside along the concealed surface of front wall 12. The freeedges of these perpendicular parts are straight for a short distanceadjacent the adjoining flap portions and perpendicular thereto (and,therefore, mutually contiguous in the closed position) and then angleaway from the perpendicular and from one another.

Elongated opening 4 in rear wall 14 permits cigar 5 to be contacted byone or more fingers (not shown) on that side, as well as by the thumb onthe opposite side to facilitate raising of the cigar into forciblecontact with the overlying end closure to open it and thereby dispensethe cigar. Either one or both of openings 2 and 4 in the respectivefront and rear walls may be provided, as desired. One opening widthpreferably is great enough to enable another cigar in the row to bemanipulated into position to be dispensed if tapping the package on theside or shaking it does not sufiice to do so.

Once the end of the cigar protrudes through the dispensing openingprovided by upward swinging of the end closure, it may be gripped andextracted completely from the package; a protruding cigar or one thathas been fully extracted cannot be resinserted readily, as the angledsides of the open closure tend to grip it upon any attempt to force itback into the package, thereby providing a desirable one-way valvelikefeature. It will be understood that each cigar may have an individualjacket (not shown) of cellophane, which may be removed as usual, with orwithout the customary cigar-encircling band (also not shown), to readyan extracted cigar for smoking. The closure then may be swung back tothe closed position. It will be noted that the pair of hinge lines forthe openable closure portions are preferably located somewhat more thanone cigar diameter but not much more than about two cigar diametersapart so as to facilitate the opening of the closure by the forciblecontact of a cigar therewith and to funnel the cigar out despitemisalignment thereof inside the package, as when one or more cigars havebeen removed. Of course, the package top remains relatively rigid evenwhen the end closure is open because the major portion (flanking theopen closure) of the top end remains closed, although if desired it canbe designed for optional opening to permit removal of the entirecontents at once. For maximum economy it is preferable to form thepackage from a unitary (i.e., one-piece) folding blank, which may becomposed of suitably stiff paper or of foldable plastic or othersemirigid laminar material. If desired, the slits defining the openableclosure may be left partially imperforate, to be ruptured upon the firstopening thereof.

In the embodiments of blank and package described below, similar partsor features are identified, wherever practicable, by similar referencenumerals differing by multiples of a hundred from one another and fromnumerals for corresponding features of the package already described andillustrated. In this way primary attention is focused upon variation infeatures, and those once described by reference to another embodimentrequire little or no further description to render them and theillustration thereby thoroughly understood. For example, narrow sidewall 13 having been mentioned above, it will be clear that numerals 113,213, 313, etc. refer to corresponding narrow side walls of differentembodiments of packages (or to the wall panels of the packaging blanksbefore being folded into package fonn). Shaded areas indicate locationof adhesive, and closely spaced double lines indicate welting or scoring(which may in some instances include perforation or intermittentslitting) of the blanks to facilitate folding, as in the instance of thehinge feature already mentioned.

FIG. 6 shows packaging blank lying flat just as die-cut or otherwiseformed in conventional manner. The visible surface is chiefly thatadapted to be exposed as the outside surface of a package formed byfolding the blank along the indicated welts or score lines. Five Wallpanels are separated thereby from one another and from top and bottomflaps, as shown. Pair of wide wall panels 112 and 114 adjoin oppositeside edges of narrow wall panel 113, and similar narrow wall paneladjoins the opposite side edge of wide wall panel 114, and slightlynarrower lap panel 111 (shaded for adhesive) adjoins the opposite sideedge of wide wall panel 112. Broad rectangular (nearly square) opening102 and narrow rectangular (elongated vertically) opening 104 arepresent in respective wide wall panels 112 and 114, being centered fromside to side thereof and nearer the top than the bottom edge (part ofthe vertical extent of the blank being broken away to conserve space ofillustration).

Adjoining the bottom edge of wide wall panel 112 of packaging blank 100is rectangular inner bottom flap 116. Adjoining the bottom edge of widewall panel 114 is slightly smaller rectangular outer bottom flap 118,which is shaded for adhesive. Adjoining the top edge of the latter widewall panel is a tuck flap, which has a generally rectangularconfiguration with rounded corners at the free outer edge thereof and agenerally triangular indentation midway of that edge. The outer or tuckpart of the flap is generally similar in size to the adjoining (orpackage top) part, which itself is divided into hinged minor portions121, 121' separated by slit 120 from one an other and by slit 139 (whichforms with slit 120 an inverted T configuration) from the adjoining wallpanel. These hinged portions are flanked by major portions 123, 123'with welts or score lines 122, 122 intervening. The outer or tuck partof the flap is similarly subdivided and is hinged to the adjoining partparallel to the hinging of the latter to the adjoining wide wall panel.Oblique (and slightly curved) edges 136, 136 bound two sides of thepreviously mentioned indentation and terminate in an extension of slit120 to separate tuck flap portions 131, 131', hinged to respective minorclosure portions 121, 121. Besides that hinging, the extension of slit120, and edges 136, 136', these parts are bounded by the free outer edgeand by oblique (and curved) slits 132, 132'. The rest of the tuck flapis made up of corner portions 133, 133 bordering slits 132, 132 andhinged to major top portions 123, 123'.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show package 110, formed by folding blank 11M), in frontelevation with the internal portions of the tuck flap shown in brokenlines. In the former of these views the package is completely closed,whereas in the latter the end closure (similar to that of previouspackage as shown open in FIGS. 2 and 5) is open, and cigar 5 is beingdispensed through the opening so provided in the top end of the package.Upon opening, minor portions 131, 131 of the tucked free end of the topflap, being free along slit 130, partially overlap one another and swingpartly out from behind front side wall 112,

as adjoined minor top portions 121, 121 pivot about their hinge lines122, 122'. Part of the lower portion of the package is cut away in FIG.8 to reveal the interior and show the raised lower end of cigar 5. Itwill be understood that appreciable force of contact is required for theend of the cigar to open the end closure, the two portions of whichprotrude in what may be considered a prismatic configuration (open atthe rear in this instance). When the closure is reclosed, as by beingtapped from the outside (and aided by the hinge resiliency), theperpendicular tuck parts that slide along inside the front wall returnto a common plane as the straight parts of edges 136, 136' resume theirinitial mutually contiguous relationship, establishing a stable restposition. Whether the end closure is open or closed, tucked portions133, 133' of the tuck flap are retained frictionally against the innersurface of wall 112 while inner and outer bottom flaps 116 and 118 (FIG.6) are secured adhesively to one another.

FIG. 9 shows packaging blank 200, which is another embodiment, also inthe flat. It differs from previous blank 1% by having opening 202 inwide wall panel 212 somewhat shorter in vertical extent than opening 102in corresponding wide wall panel 112. In addition, the free edge of theflap is made up of bridging portion 239, which is hinged along its endportions 233, 233 to major top portions 223, 223 of the flap and whichoutlines tuck portions 231, 231 and triangular gap 238 formedtherebetween. The edges of portions 231, 231' adjacent that part of thebridging portion bounding one side of the triangular gap are separatedtherefrom by slits 237, 237, which intersect the outer ends ofrespective slits 232, 232 so as to permit them to fold down with respectto adjoining minor top closure portions 221, 221'.

When this blank is folded into package form (as was the previous blank)by spacing the wide wall panels opposite and parallel to one another andspacing the narrow wall panels opposite and parallel to one another andperpendicular to the Wide wall panels with one narrow panel overlappingand secured adhesively to the lap panel, the top flap may be foldedsimilarly down across the top and the free end of the top flap be tuckedinside along the inner surface of the front wall. Because of bridgingportion 239 the tucked portion of the flap is retained more securely inplace by frictional contact with the adjacent front side wall despiteopening of the top end closure. Resulting package 210 is shown open infront elevation in FIG. 10,. with a cigar being dispensed therefrom. Ofcourse, if it is desired to open the entire tucked flap, as to removethe entire contents at once rather than to dispense the cigars one byone through the openable top end closure, that can still be done inconventional manner. The bottom closure (not shown) can be as shown inthe previous embodiment or can consist of a simple tuck flap.

FIG. 11 shows packaging blank 300, which is another embodiment, also inthe flat. Whereas in the blanks previously illustrated the surface shownwas chiefly that to be folded to the outside of a package formed fromthe blank, the surface shown in this view is chiefly that to be fold-edto the inside of the package. In addition, this blank differs by havinga tuck type of bottom flap, by interchange of the adhesive lap panel(although indicated by stippling the adhesive location is on the far orouter face thereof) and the cooperating narrow wall panel, and by slightredesign of the top flap (corner portions 333 and 333 being somewhatmore rounded, and oblique slits 332 and 332 separating them fromportions 131, 131' being straight rather than curved). It also differsin its provision of a flap-locking feature. Pair of short slits 340,340' extend from the left and right side edges of the flap along part ofthe junction between major tuck portions 333, 333' and major topportions 323, 323' of the flap and curve slightly at their inward endsto terminate a short way within the latter. Pair of small indented flaps341, 343 adjoining the top edges of respective narrow wall panels 311,313 cooperate with the slits to provide the locking.

At the bottom of wide wall panel 314 there is an adjoining tuck flapsimilarly provided but without an openable closure feature as at the topedge of the other wide wall panel. Between outer tuck portion 354 andadjoining intermediate portion 352 the welt or score line is interruptedat its opposite ends by pair of slits 350, 350' similar to slits 340,340 in the top flap. Pair of indented fiaps 351, 353 are provided at thebottom edges of narrow panels 311, 313, like indented fiaps 341, 343 atthe top.

When this blank is folded into package form (as were the previousblanks) by spacing the wide wall panels opposite and parallel to oneanother and spacing the narrow wall panels opposite and parallel to oneanother and perpendicular to the Wide wall panel with one narrow paneloverlapping and secured adhesively to the lap panel, the top flap may befolded down across the top and the free end of the top flap tuckedinside along the inner surface of the front wall. In like manner thebottom flap may be folded and tucked in to form the bottom closure.Resulting package 310 is shown in front elevation in FIGS. 12 and 13,being completely closed in the former and open to dispense a cigar inthe latter view.

In formation of package 310, short slit 340, for example, will openenough to admit the unindented portion of the side edge of indented flap343, thereby locking the major tucked portion of the top flap at thatcorner in place, as shown in FIG. 14. FIGS. 15a, 15b, and are sectionstaken vertically toward the rear, vertically toward the middle, andhorizontally downward on that locked corner of the package of FIG. 14 asindicated thereon. The other corners of the package will be similar inappearance and are not illustrated. Of course, if it is desired to openeither entire tucked flap, as to remove the entire contents at oncerather than to dispense the cigars one by one through the openable topend closure, the lock can be released by disengaging the edges of theindented flaps from the slits by pressing inward.

Instead of relying upon frictional engagement, with or Without the trucklock feature, to secure closed the part of the flap not opened while theend closure for dispensing a single cigar is opened, adhesive may beemployed. This either eliminates the alternative of readily dispensingthe entire contents at once, in favor of single-file or one-byonedispensing, or if desired the opposite end closure could be of flap typesuited to dispensing the entire contents at once. FIGS. 16 and 20 showpackaging blanks 400 and 500, respectively, which are embodimentsutilizing such adhesive securing of the part of the top end flap towhich the openable end closure is hinged.

Blank 400 shown in FIG. 16 differs in configuration from blank 100 ofFIG. 6 only in omission of the major tuck portions at the free end ofthe flap and in addition of a pair of small adhesive top flaps 442, 442'at the top edge of wide wall panel 412. Thus, adhesive fiap 442adjoining the right part of the top edge of wide wall panel 412 isadapted to underlie and be secured to major top portion 423 to which ishinged the openable end closure comprising minor top portion 421 andadjoining tuck portion 431, which lies along the inside of wide wallpanel 412 in resulting package 410 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18. FIG. 19 isan enlarged detail view of the top right front corner of package 410,partly sectioned away to show the overlapping and adhering flap portions(423 and 443). While the adjacent openable portion (421) shown onlyfragmentarily in this view is shown closed, it will be apparent thatupon opening thereof no displacement of the portion to which it ishinged can occur.

Blank 500 shown in FIG. 20 differs in configuration from blank 400 byhaving a pair of small adhesive flaps 541, 543 adjoining the top edge ofrespective narrow wall panels 411, 413 and by interchange of thefunctions of wall panels 411 and 415 to render the latter the adhesivelap panel, which is covered by the former. FIG. 21 shows the top rightfront corner of package 510, which is formed by folding blank 500 andsecuring the adhesive top flap portions as indicated. In externalappearance package 510 looks like package 410 already shown in FIGS. 17and 18 and thus is not separately illustrated.

Whereas in the blanks already described the top end closure is open tothe rear (when in the open position) an all-around enclosedconfiguration has the advantages of neater appearance and greaterrigidity, and examples of such structures are illustrated in the nextembodiments.

FIG. 22 shows blank 600, which differs in configuration from blank 100of FIG. 6 in having narrow slot 602 centered (from side to side) in theupper part of wall panel 612 with wide, nearly square slot 604 locatedin wide wall panel 614, similarly near the top edge, and by havingstraight (instead of curved) oblique slits 532, 532' extending from thefree edge and across the tuck portion of the flap to terminate at oneend of welts or score lines 622, 622'. The latter, upon which minoropenable portions 621, 621', which are separated by central transverseslit 620, are hinged, extend diagonally to join one another at thejunction of their opposite ends to the hinged junction of the top flapto wide wall panel 614.

Package 610 formed from blank 600 by folding and securing it is shown inperspective in FIGS. 23 and 24, in plan in FIGS. 25 and 26, and in rearelevation in FIGS. 27 and 28 with the end closure closed and then 1opened, respectively, in these pairs of otherwise like views.

FIG. 29 also shows the package open but in front elevation correspondingto the rear view shown in FIG. 28; in this embodiment either wide wallmay be considered the front, so the above reversal of designation (andcorresponding interchange of large and small openings in the wide sidewalls) is arbitrary. In the closed position this package resembles thosepreviously illustrated and described above, with the hardly noticeabledifference that the openable closure outlined on the top end surface istriangular instead of rectangular; in the open position the closure istetrahedral rather than prismatic in configuration, and becomes roundedsomewhat on its enclosing faces.

As the closure in the top of package 610 opens, parts 631, 631' hingedto minor top portions 621, 621' slide upward out from behind wide wall612 (here considered the rear wall) to form one face, while minor topportions 621, 621' form the other two faces, and the package surfacethereunder (concealed from view) the fourth surface of the tetrahedron,as will be apparent. Of course, as in the previous prismaticconfiguration, the solid geometric figure is only approximated,especially in the initially opening position, and then is itself openedto permt the cigar to emerge. Of course, by orienting the hinge linesobliquely but without intersection at one end thereof, one could producea useful intermediate form of openable closure. The embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 22 to 29 is also more useful where the cigars (orother cylindrical articles) are contained in two rows instead of onlyone, as the proportioning of the enclosure with the opposite ends of thehinge lines spaced apart about two diameters (of the contained articles)is conducive to the dispensing of articles from the one row only. Ofcourse, the top flap portions adjoining the openable closure in thisembodiment may be secured by adhesive, tuck lock, or other means in thisembodiment as in the other embodiments.

Packaging blank 700 shown in FIG. 30 differs in configuration from theblanks previously shown by substitution of two winglike closure flapsadjoining the respective narrow side wall panels for the previous singleflap adjoining one of the wide wall panels, and by having small adhesivetop flaps adjoining one of the wide wall panels next to the closureflaps. Each combination of adjacent adhesive and closure flaps isessentially a mirror image of the other combination flap structure.Thus, small adhesive flaps 746, 746' are adjacent portions 723, 723 butseparated therefrom by slits 747, 747, respectively. Openable closureportions 721, 721 are hinged to portions 723, 723' along welts or scorelines 722, 722', which are parallel to the top edge of the blank. Eachclosure portion has hinged to it on opposite sides two parts adapted tofold perpendicular thereto and slide inside along the opposite sidewall: parts 731, 731 on closure portions 721, 721, respectively, beingadapted to fold down along front wide wall 712, and parts 726, 726 onthe respective portions adjacent respective adhesive flaps 746, 746'(but spaced therefrom by slits 748, 748) being adapted to fold downalong rear wide wall 714. Of course, when that happens, adhesive flap746 adheres to the under surface of portion 723 of the top and adhesiveflap 746' to portion 723, thereby preventing the entire top of thepackage from opening when openable closure 721, 721' (separated by slit721) when in package form) opens to dispense a cigar.

Package 710 formed from blank 700 is shown in perspective in FIGS. 31and 32, in plan in FIGS. 33 and 34, and in front elevation in FIGS. 35and 36, with the top end closure closed and open, respectively, and alsoopen in rear elevation in FIG. 37. As top closure portions 721 and 721'swing upward and open, each pair of adjacent perpendicular parts hingedthereon become overlapped and slide upward into view from behind theadjacent wide wall. The resulting prismatic configuration is thuscompleted by perpendicular end surfaces so comprised, sloping surfacesformed by opening portions 721, 721' on opposite sides and joining theperpendicular ends, and the underlying plane of the top surface of thepackage, through which the cigars are dispensed one by one. Of course,the prismatic configuration is distorted by the complete opening of theclosure, but a prolongation of the planar surfaces mentioned wouldrecomplete that configuration.

While several embodiments of packaging blank and package of thisinvention have been illustrated and described, some having certainadvantages over others, as indicated, other modifications having some ofthe same advantages and possibly other benefits as well may be employedwith similar convenience and results. Parts may be altered in size,shape, or number, subdivided or multiplied, or modified in compositionwhile remaining within the purview of the invention, which is defined inthe following claims.

I claim:

1. In a portable package for cylindrical articles arranged side by sidein a row, a container formed from a unitary folding blank and having anend closure comprising a pair of adjacent closure portions hingedfoldably along spaced parallel lines flanking them and crossing fromside to side with respect to the row, the portions being swingablyopenable together along and between the hinge lines by forcible contactof the end of one of the articles against the closure from the inside todispense that article.

2. In a portable package for cylindrical articles arranged side by sidein a row, covered at one end by a flap joined to a side wall, an endclosure swingably openable in prismatic form along a pair of spacedhinge lines crossing essentially the entire exposed portion of the flapsubstantially perpendicular to its junction to the side wall.

3. In a portable package for cylindrical articles arranged side by sidein a row, covered at one end by a flap joined to a side wall, an endclosure swingably openable in tetrahedral form along a pair of spacedhinge lines crossing the flap at similar but opposite angles to itsjunction to the side wall.

4. In a portable package of rectangular plan for cylindrical articlesarranged side by side in a row, covered at one end by a flap joined to aside wall, an end closure having a pair of closure portions swingablyopenable and reclosable along a pair of hinge lines on the flap, thehinge lines being spaced apart the width of from one to two of thecylindrical articles and crossing the flap substantially perpendicularto that side wall, each openable closure portion having a part thereofslidable along the inside surface of a side wall upon opening, the flaphaving thereon means cooperating with an adjacent part of the package toinhibit the rest of the flap from opening upon complete opening of theend closure.

5. In a portable package of rectangular plan for cylindrical articlesarranged side by side in a row, covered at one end by a flap joined to aside wall, an end closure having a pair of closure portions swingablyopenable and reclosable along a pair of hinge lines on the flap, thehinge lines crossing the flap obliquely to intersect at one end of eachand being spaced apart the width of about two of the cylindricalarticles intermediate the opposite ends of the hinge lines, eachopenable closure portion having a part thereof slidable along the insidesurface of ,a side wall upon opening.

6. In a portable package for cylindrical articles arranged side by sidein a row, covered at one end by a pair of flaps joined to opposing sidewalls, an openable end closure comprising a pair of openable flapportions, one on each of the flaps, each openable flap portion beingswingably openable along a hinge line crossing the flap substantiallyparallel tothe side walls to which the two flaps are joined, the pair ofhinge lines being spaced the width of at least one of the cylindricalarticles from one another, the flap portions each having a pair of sideparts thereof spaced opposite and parallel to one another andessentially perpendicular to the rest of the hinged flap portion andslidable along the inside surface of each of a pair of adjacent wallsupon opening.

7. In a portable package for cylindrical articles arranged side by sidein a row, covered at one end by a flap joined to a side wall and tuckedat its free end inside an opposing side wall, an end closure including apair of flap portions swingably openable together along respective hingelines across the flap end surface and spaced the width of from one totwo of the cylindrical articles apart, each swingable portion having apart thereof perpendicular to the flap end surface and slidable alonginside the opposite side wall, the free end of the flap terminating inan unbroken bridging piece extending alongside the latter parts of theswingable flap portions.

8. In a portable package for cylindrical article arranged side by sidein a row, covered at one end by a flap joined to a side wall and tuckedat its free end inside an opposing side wall, an end closure including apair of flap portions swingably operable together along respective hingelines across the flap end surface and spaced the width of from one totwo of the cylindrical articles apart, each swingable portion having apart thereof perpendicular to the flap end surface and slidable alonginside the opposite side wall, the free edge of the perpendicular partof the respective swingable portions angling in opposite directions overmost of their extent and being contiguous in the closed position only inthe vicinity of the adjacent flap portions but overlapping during theopening of the end closure.

9. In a portable package for cylindrical articles arranged side by sidein a row, covered at one end by a flap joined to a side wall and tuckedat its free end inside an opposing side wall, an end closure including apair of flap portions swingably openable together along respective hingelines across the flap end surface and spaced the width of from one totwo of the cylindrical articles apart, each swingable portion having apart thereof perpendicular to the fiap end surface and slidable alonginside the opposite side wall, the free edge of the perpendicular partof the respective swingable portions being perpendicular to the adjacentsurface of the flap portion thereof for a short distance and thenoblique thereto, whereby when the end closure is closed the respectiveperpendicular edges of the perpendicular parts of the respectiveswingable portions are mutually contiguous, tending to hold the closureclosed in the absence of forcible contact of an end of one of thearticles with the closure from the inside to open it.

10. In a folding blank for a portable package for cylindrical articlesarranged side by side in a row, an end flap hinged to a side wall andhaving its free end adapted to be tucked inside along the opposite sidewall after covering the end when folded into package form, including aswingably mounted end closure comprising a pair of fiap portions, eachhinged to the rest of the flap substantially perpendicular to thehinging of that flap to the side wall and including a part of the freeend of the flap, being openable when in package form by forcible contactof the end of one of the articles against the closure from the inside todispense that article.

11. Packaging blank having a pair of wide wall panels and a pair ofnarrow wall panels and a lap panel, foldable into package form to spacethe wide wall panels opposite and parallel to one another and space thenarrow wall panels opposite and parallel to one another andperpendicular to the wide wall panels and to overlap the lap panel by anedge portion of one of the other wall panels and including bottom flapmeans adapted to close one end of the package so formed, the top flapmeans being adapted to close the other end thereof, one of the flapmeans comprising a flap joined to a wide side wall and having its freeedge adapted to be tucked inside along the opposite wide side wall aftercovering the end, part of that flap comprising an end closure having apair of flap portions adjacent to one another hinged to the rest of theflap along lines extending from the junction of the flap with the wideside wall to the tuckable free edge of the flap and swingably openableindependently thereof to dispense one of the articles, and includingmeans for securing the rest of the flap in closed position duringopening of the end closure when in package form.

12. In a flap of a packaging blank adapted to fold into package form,the flap being adapted to cover an end surface of the package and totuck inside along a side wall thereof, an openable closure comprisingpart of the flap hinged to the rest of the flap along two separate linesthereon across the end-covering portion thereof and slit therebetweenacross both the end-covering and tuckable portions to be openable byswinging along the hinge lines.

13. In a flap of a packaging blank adapted to fold into package form tocover an end surface of the package with the flap joined to a side Wallthereof, an end closure swingably openable in prismatic form along apair of spaced hinge lines crossing essentially the entire end-coveringportion of the flap substantially perpendicular to its junction to theside wall.

14,. In a flap of a packaging blank adapted to fold into package form tocover an end surface of the package with the flap joined to a side wallthereof, an end closure swingably openable in tetrahedral form along apair of spaced hinge lines crossing the flap at similar but oppositeangles to its junction to the side Wall.

15. In a portable package of cylindrical articles arranged side by sidein a row, a container formed from a unitary folding blank, a pluralityof similar cylindrical articles arranged side by side in a single rowonly, side walls of the container lying adjacent thereto on oppositesides and ends of the row, and ends of the container lying adjacentopposite ends of the articles, the container having an integrally formedend closure including a plurality of separately hinged portions adjacentone another and swingably openable to dispense one of the articles froma location intermediate the ends of the row.

16. In a previously unopened portable package of cylindrical articlesarranged side by side in a row, a container of rectangular plan formedfrom a folding blank, a plurality of like cylindrical articles arrangedside by side in a single row only, the container including a top endclosure including a pair of adjacent closure portions hinged apart fromone another along lines extending over substantially the entire width ofthe top and swingably openable together by forcible contact of the endof one of the articles located intermediate the ends of the row againstthe closure from the inside to dispense that article.

17. In a portable package of cylindrical articles, a plurality of sucharticles arranged side by side in a single row, a surrounding containerof rectangular plan having a top end closure including a pair ofadjacent closure portions hinged apart from one another along linesextending over substantially the entire width of the top and swingablyopenable together by forcible contact of the end of one of the articleslocated intermediate the ends of the row against the closure from theinside to dispense that article, the container having an unobstructedopening therein adjacent a side of that article to enable the article tobe manipulated into such contact with the top closure to open it.

18. In a portable package of cylindrical articles, a plurality of likecylindrical articles arranged side by side in a single row only, acontainer of rectangular plan enclosing the articles as a group andhaving a top end closure including a pair of adjacent closure portionshinged apart from one another along lines extending over substantiallythe entire width of the top and swingably openable together by forciblecontact of the end of one of the articles located intermediate the endsof the row against the closure from the inside to dispense that article,the container having openings in opposite side walls thereof adjacentthat article to enable the article to be manipulated by direct manualcontact therewith into such contact with the top closure to open it.

19. In a portable package of cylindrical articles, a plurality of likecylindrical articles arranged side by side in a row, a container ofrectangular plan enclosing the articles as a group, the articles beingcovered thereby at each end, the top end surface of the container beingcovered, for its entire width over a minor portion thereof spaced fromboth narrow edges of the top, by a closure swingably openable to uncoverall of the end of only a single one of the articles and thereby permitthat single article aligned with the opening so formed to slidelengthwise therethrough.

20. In a portable package of cylindrical articles arranged side by sidein a row, a single row only of cylindrical articles so arranged, acontainer of rectangular plan enclosing the articles as a group, thearticles being covered thereby at each end, the top end surface of thecontainer being covered in minor part by a cover flap joined to a wideside wall, a top closure including a pair of adjacent closure portionshinged apart from one another along lines extending over substantiallythe entire width of the top and swingably openable together on oppositesides of a widthwise extending bisector of the flap. the maximumdistance of each of the hinge lines from the bisector being at leastone-half and at most one diameter of one of the cylindrical articles.

21. In a portable package of cylindrical articles arranged side by sidein a row, a single row only of articles so arranged, a container ofrectangular plan, the contained articles being covered at the top end bya flap integral with the container, the flap being joined to a wide sidewall and tucked inside along the opposite wide side wall of thecontainer after covering the end thereof, part of the flap comprising aclosure hinged to the rest of the flap and swingably openableindependently thereof to uncover the entire end of only a single one ofthe articles located intermediate the ends of the row, the closureincluding a pair of adjacent closure portions hinged apart from oneanother along lines extending substantially from one long edge of thetop to the opposite long edge thereof, each of the openable closureportions including a tuck portion adjoining the openable part of theflap and effective to rigidify and guide it during opening and closingof the end closure.

22. The package of claim 21 wherein the container is formed from aunitary folding blank.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 580,080 4/97Borlinghaus 206-412 1,220,496 3/17 Carr 221250 1,443,279 1/23 Schindler229l7 1,995,556 3/35 Z-ayas 221250 2,202,280 5/40 Wilson 229l7 3,057,53310/62 Silver 229l7 FOREIGN PATENTS 495,553 6/54 Italy.

0 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

GEORGE O. RALSTON, Examiner.

21. IN A PORTABLE PACKAGE OF CYLINDRICAL ARTICLES ARRANGED SIDE BY SIDEIN A ROW, A SINGLE ROW ONLY OF ARTICLES SO ARRANGED, A CONTAINER OFRECTANGULAR PLAN, THE CONTAINED ARTICLES BEING COVERED AT THE TOP END BYA FLAP INTEGRAL WITH THE CONTAINER, THE FLAP BEING JOINED TO A WIDE SIDEWALL AND TUCKED INSIDE ALONG THE OPPOSITE WIDE SIDE WALL OF THECONTAINER AFTER COVERING THE END THEREOF, PART OF THE FLAP COMPRISING ACLOSURE HINGED TO THE REST OF THE FLAP AND SWINGABLY OPENABLEINDEPENDENTLY THEREOF TO UNCOVER THE ENTIRE END OF ONLY A SINGLE ONE OFTHE ARCTICLES LOCATED INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF THE ROWS, THE CLOSUREINCLUDING A PAIR OF ADJACENT CLOSURE PORTIONS HINGED APART FROM ONEANOTHER ALONG LINES EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY FROM ONE LONG EDGE OF THETOP TO THE OPPOSITE LONG EDGE THEREOF, EACH OF THE OPENABLE CLOSUREPORTIONS INCLUDING A TUCK PORTION ADJOINING THE OPENABLE PART OF THEFLAP AND EFFECTIVE TO RIGIDIFY AND GUIDE IT DURING OPENING AND CLOSINGOF THE END CLOSURE.